We certify and help conserve starry sky parks, communities, and places around the world
The world-renowned and award-winning International Dark Sky Places (IDSP) Certification Program is the Gold Standard in dark sky protection.
It was founded in 2001 to encourage communities, parks and protected areas around the world to preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education.
Certified IDSPs In Colorado
Dark Sky Parks
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
- Curecanti National Recreation Area
- Dinosaur National Monument
- Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
- Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
- Hovenweep National Monument
- Jackson Lake State Park
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Slumgullion Center
- Top of the Pines
Dark Sky Communities
- Crestone, Colorado
- Norwood, Colorado
- Nucla/Naturita, Colorado
- Ridgway, Colorado
- Westcliffe/Silver Cliff, Colorado
Places in the IDSP Certification Pipeline
Dark Sky Communities
- Paonia
- Silverton
- Durango
- Town of Berthoud
- Old Snowmass
- Town of Morrison
- City of Gunnison
- Town of Breckenridge
Dark Sky Reserves
- Southern San Juan
- San Miguel County
- Sangre de Cristo
Dark Sky Parks
- Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area
- Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain
- Orient Land Trust
- Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site
- Browns Canyon National Monument
- Chimney Rock National Monument
- State Forest State Park
- Ridgway State Park
- Rifle Gap State Park Complex
- Eleven Mile State Park
- Elkhead Reservoir State Park
Our Leaders
Board of Directors for 2024
Dani Robben
Chair, Board of Directors
Dani Robben is a community outreach and recreation development professional that works for San Luis Valley Great Outdoors (SLV GO!), a collective impact nonprofit in the San Luis Valley. Dani became actively engaged in the Sangre de Cristo Dark Sky Reserve Initiative through her work, and quickly connected with the local dark sky chapter. Dani enjoys advocating for dark skies and learning more about the importance of natural darkness for human and natural communities. Since 2022, she has served as a board member of DarkSky Colorado and brings her expertise of community driven conservation and collaborative partnerships to foster programmatic sustainability.
George Wolf
Treasurer, Board of Directors
George Wolf is a retired professor of astronomy. He has done research at, or visited, many of the best dark-sky places on the planet. Recently he volunteered to work with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to help identify some of the best Colorado state parks for viewing the night sky.
Kate Hopson
Secretary, Board of Directors
Kate Hopson is a marketing and graphic design professional based in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains specializing in tourism marketing. Since 2022 she has served as a board member of DarkSky Colorado bringing her unique perspective and creative expertise to the organization. Kate’s professional work aligns closely with her personal interests which include hiking skiing and playing pickleball. Beyond her board service she actively contributes to local community initiatives including the Lake City Star Fest, a dark celebration of Lake City’s incredible dark skies.
John Garvey
Board of Directors
Some of the defining experiences of John Garvey’s childhood included summer vacations in Colorado and looking up at the Milky Way from his backyard in Wichita, KS. That eerily beautiful sight was far too easy to take for granted and disappeared from view over the years. John wants it back. Some time after realizing that being a ninja was not a viable career, he became a writer and marketer. John is a father, long-time resident of Northern Colorado, copywriter, illustrator, and marketing consultant at Garvington Creative.
Deborah Price
Board of Directors
Deborah Price is a retired environmental educator who still volunteers her education program skills in the northern Colorado community with a variety of organizations. She has been teaching basic astronomy to children and adults for 20 years, and became involved with DarkSky Colorado through her work with Boulder County Parks & Open Space, and also her desire in general to protect the night skies for people, wildlife, and astronomical viewing. She lives in Pinewood Springs, between Lyons and Estes Park, and enjoys the beautiful views available there. She also enjoys engaging people in the DarkSky mission, and loves seeing people get excited about the simple things they can do to protect our dark skies in Colorado.
Julia Puester
Board of Directors
Julia joined the Dark Sky Colorado Board in 2024 and previous Board experience. With over 25 years of experience in local government, Julia has dedicated her career to collaborating with citizen organizations, individuals, governmental bodies, and private entities on a multitude of issues including urban planning, affordable housing, economic development, sustainability and historic preservation. Since 2006, she has been involved in crafting exterior lighting regulations and education around responsible outdoor lighting.
Mike Pach
Board of Directors
Mike Pach, owner of 3 Peaks Photography & Design, is an internationally known, award-winning photographer, speaker and author with more than 40 years of experience in photography. He is the founder of the Colorado Photography Learning Group and has been teaching photography and Photoshop classes since 2007. Mike is the author of Colorado Springs Then and Now, and he conducts night-sky photography workshops. He is also a former aerospace engineer with a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Louis University and an MBA from Maryville University.
Aaron Watson
Dark Sky Certification Specialist
Aaron is DarkSky Colorado’s Dark Sky Certification Specialist and leads the Colorado Dark Sky Certification Mentor Program. Residing in Paonia, Aaron was instrumental in Paonia becoming a certified International Dark Sky Community, and loves experiencing the natural night sky through observing and night photography.
Administrative Leaders
Dani Robben, Board Chair
Sarah Tober, Executive Director
George Wolf, Treasurer
Kate Hopson, Secretary
DarkSky Colorado Regions
Western Colorado Region
Martie Semmer, Blue River
Southeastern Colorado Region
Doug Barrett, Colorado Springs
Denver-Central Colorado Region
Ryan Parker, Castle Pines
Northeastern Colorado Region
Richard OBrien, Boulder
2024 Mentors
Aaron Watson
Bobby Tober
Irving Antonio Tinoco Guevara
Louise Snodgrass
Mark Laurin
Thanks to DarkSky Colorado’s donors, partners, volunteers and leadership, Colorado has more DarkSky certified communities and open spaces than almost any other state. Our collaborative efforts towards humane, sensible outdoor lighting practices have made a tremendous difference in preserving the well-being of Colorado’s people, wildlife and ecosystems.
Yet in recent years, advocating for DarkSky standards has taken on greater urgency, and we need your help. The noxious effects of light pollution in our beautiful state are spreading at an alarming rate. Every year you look up to the night sky in this country, there are seven- to 10-percent fewer stars visible. Light pollution in Colorado kills droves of migratory birds, disrupts the behavior of nocturnal wildlife, and negatively impacts our quality of life in various, well-documented ways.
Fortunately, while most problems this large require complex solutions with painful tradeoffs, this one doesn’t. Light pollution is technically easy to reverse, but it is much more easily dealt with before it becomes a problem.
Join us in our efforts to conserve and restore the beauty of the Colorado night sky.
Sign Up to Become a Member
Become a member of Dark Sky Colorado and join a community dedicated to preserving our beautiful night skies by reducing light pollution. Your membership supports education, advocacy, and local initiatives that make a lasting impact on the environment, wildlife, and our ability to enjoy the stars. Not ready to join? You can still make a difference by donating—every contribution helps us protect the night sky. Stay connected by joining our mailing list to receive updates on events, workshops, and news about dark sky conservation efforts across Colorado.